Meeting of World Council of Churches (WCC) in Lebanon
(January 28. 2012) The World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr
Olav Fykse Tveit reaffirmed the churches’ commitment to justice and peace in the Middle
East, while stressing the importance of a common vision for living together by Christians
and Muslims in the Arab world. Tveit was speaking at the Christian-Muslim consultation
on “Christian Presence and Witness in the Arab World” organized by the WCC programmes
for Churches in the Middle East and Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation in collaboration
with the Middle East Council of Churches. The consultation concluded on Saturday 28
at the Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia in Antelias, Lebanon, bringing together youth,
scholars and Christian and Muslim leaders for a frank and dynamic discussion. Tveit
said the Middle East is of special interest for the WCC, and articulated the historic
significance of Christian presence in the Arab world, where he believes faith plays
a major role, reflecting on the decleration of the WCC’s Central Committee meeting
of February 2011: “Our living faith has its roots in this region and is nourished
and nurtured by the unbroken witness of the local churches, who have their own roots
from the apostolic times.Without this Christian presence, the conviviality among peoples
from different faiths, cultures, and civilisations, which is a sign of God’s love
for all humanity, will be endangered,” said Tveit. He appreciated the participation
of a range of Muslims in the consultation, who he says, have emphasized their commitment
to strengthen the Christian presence in the Middle East. He said that it is through
their action for the common good that people in the Arab world can accomplish peace,
justice, freedom and harmony. “We will certainly want to make clear to our wider constituency,
the WCC’s extensive experience over many years of how Christians and Muslims continue
to work together constructively for the common good,” he said. Tveit also pointed
out the challenges faced by the Christians in the Arab world, and the sense of insecurity
they feel, due to political divides and persistent conflicts. The WCC has addressed
over a number of years the issue of emigration of Christians from the region resulting
from the occupation and war in Iraq and the occupation of the Palestinian territories.
He said, “We know that the changes in the Arab world over the last year – and changes
still to come – have also left many Christians, along with many Muslims, feeling uncertain
and even afraid for their future." Highlighting the efforts of churches struggling
for justice and peace in Israel and Palestine, Tveit said that the situation is of
great concern for Christians in Jerusalem, as well as people of other faiths.